--- title: Blog | employee feature description: employee feature | Grand River Rubber & Plastics Company was established by the acquisition of the Ashtabula Division of Geneva Rubber in 1976. In January, 2011 the owners sold the company to their employees. Grand River specializes in lathe cut washers, tubular gaskets and flat drive belts. Sales in 2010 were over 39 million with a work force of 200 employees. Grand River Rubber is an ISO 9001 registered company. --- [![Grand River Rubber & Plastics Co.](https://www.info.grrp.com/hubfs/GrandRiverRubber_August2018/images/Grand-River-Rubber_Logo_2C_H-1.png)](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/) - Search - [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/grand-river-rubber-%26-plastics) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Grand-River-Rubber-Plastics-125889584133675/) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/grandriverrp) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpF_QpJvOxPDSmYGxkAezxA) - Products - [Lathe-Cut Gaskets](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/products/lathe-cut-gaskets/) - [Sweeper Belt](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/products/sweeper-belt/) - [Pail Gaskets](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/products/pail-gaskets/) - [Materials](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/products/materials/) - [Rubber Materials Selection Guide (ASTM)](https://www.info.grrp.com/astm-selection-of-rubber-materials-guide-1) - [About](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/about/) - [About Us](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/about/) - [Employee Ownership](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/about/employee-ownership/) - [Company History](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/about/company-history/) - [ISO 9001-2015 Certified](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/wp-content/uploads/0136717_ENG_Grand-River-Rubber-Plastics.pdf) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/about/faq/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/about/privacy-policy/) - [Cancellation Policy](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/about/cancellation-policy/) - [Contact](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/contact/) - [Contact Us](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/contact/) - [Get Quote](https://www.info.grrp.com/get-started) - [Blog](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog) - [Employment](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/employment/) Search # Grand River Rubber & Plastics Blog ## [Celebrating Cheryl Hellmer's Nearly 25 Years at Grand River](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/celebrating-cheryl-hellmers-nearly-25-years-at-grand-river) Posted by [Alan Blankenship](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/author/alan-blankenship) on Jul 8, 2026 12:07:44 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.info.grrp.com/hubfs/undefined-Jul-08-2026-03-55-45-2240-PM.jpeg)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/celebrating-cheryl-hellmers-nearly-25-years-at-grand-river) For nearly 25 years, Cheryl Hellmer has been one of the friendly faces helping keep Grand River running smoothly. Since joining the company in July 2001, she has worn many hats and built a reputation as someone who can tackle just about anything that comes her way. Whether she is processing invoices, supporting employees, planning company events, organizing fundraisers, or answering questions outside her office door, Cheryl is always ready to lend a helping hand. As she prepares for her well-earned retirement at the end of August, we're taking a moment to celebrate her nearly 25 years of dedication, service, and friendship at Grand River. *Learn more about Cheryl and her experiences at Grand River!* [Read More](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/celebrating-cheryl-hellmers-nearly-25-years-at-grand-river) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/celebrating-cheryl-hellmers-nearly-25-years-at-grand-river#comments-listing) Topics: [employee ownership](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/employee-ownership), [employee feature](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/employee-feature) ## [A Leader, Not a Follower: Rhonda Smith’s 40-Year Journey](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/rhonda-smiths-40-year-journey) Posted by [Alan Blankenship](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/author/alan-blankenship) on Apr 16, 2026 12:33:14 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.info.grrp.com/hubfs/undefined-Apr-16-2026-04-10-36-0775-PM.jpeg)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/rhonda-smiths-40-year-journey) Rhonda Smith has been a part of the Grand River Rubber & Plastics team since June 19, 1986 and nearly four decades later, she’s still going strong. She began her career in D&P fabrication, but Rhonda isn’t someone who stays still for long. Over the years, she explored several other departments including bayonets, grinding, printing, sweeper belts, and eventually CTL, where she has now worked for more than 20 years. “I’ll stay the rest of my time in CTL,” she says. “I like what I do.” *Read more about Rhonda’s journey at GRRP below.* [Read More](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/rhonda-smiths-40-year-journey) 6 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/rhonda-smiths-40-year-journey#comments-listing) Topics: [employee feature](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/employee-feature) ## [Sales Team Spotlight: Meet Kellie West](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/sales-team-spotlight-meet-kellie-west) Posted by [Alan Blankenship](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/author/alan-blankenship) on Feb 6, 2026 12:35:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.info.grrp.com/hubfs/undefined-1.jpeg)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/sales-team-spotlight-meet-kellie-west) At Grand River Rubber & Plastics, our sales team plays a vital role in connecting customer needs with our manufacturing expertise and few people embody that commitment more than Kellie West. Kellie brings responsiveness, collaboration, and deep industry knowledge to every interaction. *Get to know Kellie, her role, and what makes her an essential part of the sales team.* [Read More](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/sales-team-spotlight-meet-kellie-west) 2 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/sales-team-spotlight-meet-kellie-west#comments-listing) Topics: [employee ownership](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/employee-ownership), [employee feature](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/employee-feature) [All posts](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/all) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Lathe Cut Gaskets (29)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/lathe-cut-gaskets) - [employee ownership (13)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/employee-ownership) - [Work at Grand River Rubber (8)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/work-at-grand-river-rubber) - [die cut gaskets (5)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/die-cut-gaskets) - [sweeper belts (4)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/sweeper-belts) - [employee feature (3)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/employee-feature) - [orings (3)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/orings) - [quality policy (3)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/quality-policy) - [COVID-19 (2)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/covid-19) - [NSF/ANSI Standard 61 (2)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/nsf-ansi-standard-61) - [On-Site Health Clinic (2)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/on-site-health-clinic) - [drum & pail (2)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/drum-pail) - [materials (2)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/materials) - [molded gaskets (2)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/molded-gaskets) - [o-rings (2)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/o-rings) - [Custom Gaskets (1)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/custom-gaskets) - [Drug & Pail (1)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/drug-pail) - [EDPM gaskets (1)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/edpm-gaskets) - [Grand River Rubber & Plastics Expansion (1)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/grand-river-rubber-plastics-expansion) - [ISO 9001 certification (1)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/iso-9001-certification) - [Manufacturing Partnerships (1)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/manufacturing-partnerships) - [Manufacturingjobs (1)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/manufacturingjobs) - [OEM Manufacturing (1)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/oem-manufacturing) - [Quailty Policy (1)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/quailty-policy) - [Rubber & Plastics News (1)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/rubber-plastics-news) - [Vacuum Flat Belt (1)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/vacuum-flat-belt) - [chopper gun (1)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/chopper-gun) - [dynamic applications (1)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/dynamic-applications) - [food grade applications (1)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/food-grade-applications) - [oil and gas (1)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/oil-and-gas) - [product spotlight (1)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/product-spotlight) - [santoprene (1)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/santoprene) - [seals (1)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/seals) - [static applications (1)](https://www.info.grrp.com/blog/topic/static-applications) see all ### Grand River Rubber & Plastics **2029 Aetna Rd, Ashtabula, OH, 44004** **([Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/iSL6jYM49VJ79sMm6))** **Phone: [(440) 998-2900](tel:4409982900)**   | [![](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/wp-content/uploads/logo-iso.png)](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/wp-content/uploads/0136717_ENG_Grand-River-Rubber-Plastics-3.pdf) | [![](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/wp-content/uploads/logo-ims.png)](https://www.fda.gov/food/federal-state-local-tribal-and-territorial-cooperative-human-food-programs/interstate-milk-shippers-list) | [![](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/wp-content/uploads/logo-esop.png)](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/about/employee-ownership/) | [![](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/wp-content/uploads/logo-ecovadis.png)](https://resources.ecovadis.com/ecovadis-solution-materials/ecovadis-medals-and-badges) | [![](https://www.grandriverrubber.com/wp-content/uploads/logo-googlerating.png)](https://www.google.com/search?q=Grand+River+Rubber+%26+Plastics&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS1012US1012&oq=gr&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBggBEEUYOzIGCAAQRRg8MgYIARBFGDsyBggCEEUYOzIGCAMQRRg5MgYIBBBFGDwyBggFEEUYPDIGCAYQRRg8MgYIBxBFGDzSAQgzMjk2ajBqMagCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&sei=97OcaZveM8-fptQPy6mQ2AY#lrd=0x8832202aeb8e47f5:0x6d99a5aaf1946e66,1,,,,) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | © Grand River Rubber & Plastics Co. 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